Diesel Spill Closes Bethel Road In Limestone County

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ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) - A busy morning Thursday for emergency and Haz-Mat responders in Limestone County. A diesel spill leaves behind a big mess on an area roadway.

Bethel Road was closed for hours as a result of the fuel spill. Athens firefighters responded to the scene to help direct the clean-up. The fire chief says a mechanical problem on an 18-wheeler caused the problem.

"His drive shaft came loose and ruptured both of his fuel tanks and dumped a large portion of his diesel fuel out here on the roadway," Athens Fire Chief Tony Kirk explained.

Around 75 gallons of diesel spilled onto the roadway, staining the asphault and puddling up in every crevice. It poses an environmental hazard and it can not only damage the asphault roadway but can leave the surface of the roadway very slick to motorists.

County crews rushed to the scene to cover the spill with sand in hopes of preventing additional problems. Once the sand has soaked up the bulk of the diesel fuel, they'll take it up and come back with another layer of sand to get any residual fuel that may be left behind. Then all of that sand and dirt will have to be properly disposed of.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management was called to the scene to inspect the spill area and determine if any additional steps needed to be taken.